HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the front cover screws

With all the outer cover screws removed, I was able to separate the display/main PCB assembly away from the cover.

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover and display/main PCB assembly

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublicCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover removed

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the inner case screws

Two Phillips screws hold an inner plastic case to the display/main PCB assembly.

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the inner case

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting off the inner case

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly and inner cover

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Inner cover

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable

Before separating the HTC ThunderBolt's display assembly and main PCB, I needed to disconnect this small ribbon cable. It is likely used for the control buttons located along the bottom edge of the screen.

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable disconnected

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the main PCB from the display assembly

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting the main PCB away from the display assembly

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublicCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly and main PCB

Even with the control button ribbon cable disconnected, the display assembly is stil connected to the main PCB by two cables. These cables are used for the HTC ThunderBolt's display screen and digitizer.

The 3.5mm headphone jack, notification LED, and a small, brass-colored sensor are soldered to the HTC ThunderBolt's main PCB. The sensor looks nearly identical to the microphone mounted along the bottom edge of the main PCB. I assume this sensor is also a microphone.

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: ICs with markings A5002 and A5005

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB markings

The markings on this HTC ThunderBolt's main PCB indicate that it was manufactured sometime around October 28, 2010.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublicCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Completely disassembled

Cracking open the HTC ThunderBolt was tricky but not overly difficult. It uses standard Phillips screws, which are easily accessable. Unfortunately, there's not much to do inside the case once you get there.

The ThunderBolt appears to be designed for easily assembly, not repair. Nearly all the internal components are soldered to the main PCB. For all practical purposes, the display/digitizer assembly is a single unit. And components, such as the speakers are actually embedded into the device's covers.

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...

Disclosure

Bill Detwiler has nothing to disclose. He doesn't hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Full Bio

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.